Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Operation of an Offshore Oil and Gas Platform in the Beaufort Sea

الملخص

NMFS has received a request from BP Exploration (Alaska), 900 East Benson Boulevard, Anchorage, AK 99519 (BP) for renewal of an authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to operation of an offshore oil and gas platform at the Northstar facility in the Beaufort Sea in state waters. NMFS is considering whether to propose new regulations that would govern the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals under a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to BP. In order to promulgate regulations and issue an LOA, NMFS must determine that these takings will have a negligible impact on the affected species and stocks of marine mammals. NMFS invites comment on the application and suggestions on the content of the regulations.